Cultural Achievements of Alauddin Khalji – Explained!

ByRaima S

Besides being 3 great conquerors and a successful administrator, Alauddin Khalji was a great patron of education, literature and arts. It is a debatable question whether he was himself an educated person or not. Barani writes that the Sultan was illiterate but Ferishta has mentioned that after his accession Alauddin had learnt Persian after great devotion.

Whatever may be the truth about his education, it is a fact, that he was an industrious, clever and influential ruler. He had love for education and provided patronage to scholars. He rewarded and awarded grants to the scholars from time to time. Several men of letters (of Persian) adorned his court.

The famous poet, musician and historian like Amir Khusrau was a unique gem of his court. Being oppressed by the cruelty, barbarous treatment and terror of the Mongols several learned people of Central Asia migrated to India and Sultan Alauddin Khalji gave shelter to all of them.

Famous theologian, Shaiul Islam, Ruknuddin, Hasan Dehlvi, also were the precious gems of his coutt. Thus the court of Delhi equalled the splendour of the courts of Baghdad, Cairo and Constantinople and it had great prestige in the world of Islam. The Sultan started several Maktabs and Madrasas for the progress of literature, science and technology.

Alauddin had a keen interest in architecture. He built several forts, palaces, buildings and ponds. In 1302 a.d. he got the fort of Sin constructed. It is situated about ,30 kilometres from the fort of Rai Pithora in Siri village.

The skulls of the Mongols were paved in the foundation and construction of the fort. Sultan got a palace of one thousand pillars (HazaT Situn) constructed in this fort but his best creation was Alai Darwaja which is very near Qutub Minar.

Accord­ing to art specialists, it is a unique specimen of early Turkish architec­ture. Besides this, Hanz-i-Khas, Hauz-i-Ilahi and Jamayat Khana Masjid near the tomb of NizamucTdin Aulia were his “BesT” which highlighted his love for architecture.

Thus from the point of view of cultural development also the reign of Alauddin would ever be considered significant. Lanepoole aptly remarks, “No doubt, he was a bloody and unscrupulous tyrant but none may refuse him the title of a strong and capable ruler.”